Meeting Nelson Piquet Jr next week - questions?

Gosh. First off, neat opportunity there, enjoy it. I'd be curious to know his professional opinion regarding the current season and if it indeed all over. And also regarding next season, how big a shake up does he believe it will be really?

Have fun.

 

Crash gate is so played out but if you must ask him save it to the end; keep it positive and ask him if there are any up and coming Brazilian drivers, how was his relationship with Alonso, how does other types of racing compare, etc. I'd also ask him if his dad was ever approached/interested in racing for Ferrari.

 

The great Brazilian drivers who've never driven for the Scuderia....fittipaldi, senna, piquet sr. And I've always wondered why....

 

While obvious I wouldn't bring up crash gate. There are no good answers.

I'd be more curious what his and his father's life is now after F1.

Also might be interesting what he thinks about Senna Sr. and Jr. Piquet Sr. had a very feisty relationship to Senna Sr., culminating in accusing him of being gay in the infamous Playboy (?) interview. Does Piquet Jr. have any relationship/contact with Senna Jr.?

Another question is whether he is interested in any F1 historic racing. Would be so neat to see him race one of his father's car at the Historic GP in Monaco.

Or how about finding out what his take is on F1 simulators: How much time did he spend on his team's sim? How does it compare to the real world? Did he use any games to prepare for a new track (IIRC he was newbie at most tracks). Word is that many F1 jocks play PS3 mobile just to memorize new tracks while en route to a new location. But maybe that's an old hat as now all teams have very accurate sims back at their base.

Speaking of base: How was his contact with his team? Did he live in England or did he do "a Michael Andretti" and fly back and forth to Brazil?

BTW: You might also want to study up on his career/life. Nothing is more insulting than asking basic questions one could answer themselves by doing their homework:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Piquet,_Jr

And finally I'd ask him for an autograph. Or two (one for your FChat buddy/nemesis Andreas ).

 

I had the chance to chat with him (and other drivers) at a NASCAR truck race last year in New Hampshire. I was in the pits/garage area with the team my cousin was involved with. However, I decided not to interrupt any of the drivers' preparations before the race.

Get some real dirt on true F1 politics, with examples!

Oh, and get me his sister's phone number!
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And the number is?

 

I would just take a "brother to brother" approach and not even bring up racing or what he is doing now. Politely ask how his father and family are doing. I have always wanted to meet a F1 driver and invite them over for some barbeque and a little "down time".

Best,
Gregg

 

I think I would ask him about his name and racing.

Having a 3 times World Champion as a dad has its definite perks, and then the expectations that you will be naturally as good. how has that helped and hurt him?

I have also always wondered why he could not / did not go to Williams given the family connections.

and for Crash gate... Just how sleezy was it working for Flabbio ( Flavio ) Briatore?

In any interview - its always best to ask about the Person - not his father etc... that is how you get them talking. keep it about them.

 

Enjoy the experience Kev' and go with flow and have great time.

 

Best experience he recalls as a youngster at a F1 event...Best memory of dad...What he thinks will get him from trucks to the NSCS as far as ability...Best Alonso story...Funniest fan interaction

 

Ask him if he got his idea for kicking other drivers from his dad!

 

His favourite victory. His favourite road car. What track he finds the most challenging. Any interest in Indycar or racing in the 500. What drivers are his friends and who is the biggest jerk (driver) he's met.

 

Watching the movie "Senna" again last night, and was reminded of the race in Japan, where during the driver meeting Piquet Sr. brings up the issue that took the championship away from Senna the year before (going off in the chicane but then using an escape road to reenter the race). Brilliant how Piquet simply states how unsafe it would be to do anything else, which would mean driving INTO traffic into a very tight chicane. All the drivers agree with Nelson and apparently that ensures no more penalties such as the previous year.

Maybe ask Jr. if he has faced similar things in his driving experience, or what safety things he sees in motor sport that need to be improved.

 

Don't be surprised if he acts like a spoiled brat. Also, don't be surprised if he has no knowledge of F1's past, or even much of his father's history in the sport.

 

Uh oh.

A voice from São Paulo

 

I dare you to ask him if he pitches or catches.

I kid, I kid...

 

Lol.

 

I've heard he's a lot more humble now, since he is "happy" driving in NASCAR, but we have a few mutual acquaintances and in general the guy is pretty insufferable, in the classic spoiled playboy brat mode. Perhaps he'll be nicer in a professional environment.

 

You could ask him if they all had a chuckle at the dinner table when Nelson and the Mrs. had to go to drivers ed course.

Nelson Piquet can't drive......

 

I remember that, it was quite funny.

The truth is, our traffic rules here work on a system of points. If you exceed 20 points in a year, your license is revoked. You get 7 points for the worse infractions, 5 for medium ones, and 3 for the lighter ones. You can also get your license suspended if you drive drunk (in a few states - soon the whole country - there is 0 tolerance) or if you speed very excessively. Points are added to the licenses which are coupled with the car's registration, which is accessed by the police through the license plate number when they fine you.

It's especially very easy for someone like Nelson Piquet to rack up 20 points because I can guarantee you his registration is on the majority of cars in his household - cars for himself, his wife, his classic cars, his kids' cars, probably a car for a chauffeur. At most he would divide it up with his wife. Usually you can drive around with a license with over 20 points, but every 5 years you need to get it renewed, and they won't do that if you've exceeded your amount. Then you need to go to driver's ed...again...

 

Nelson crashed big time.